-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Lotus Renault driver Robert Kubica has confirmed that he will not be fit in time for the start of the 2012 Formula One season .

The 26-year-old Pole , winner of the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix , missed the whole of this season after suffering serious injuries following a rallying crash in February .

There had been some hope that Kubica would be fit enough to start the new campaign , but he released a statement on the team 's official website confirming this would not be the case .

Kubica said : `` I have come to the conclusion that I am not yet certain to be ready for the 2012 season . This was a difficult decision to make , but it is the most reasonable one .

`` I know that Lotus Renault need to prepare for next year , and further extending deadlines would not have been the right thing to do . On a personal level , my recovery is very encouraging and my doctors keep being impressed . ''

Kubica added : `` I just need more time , as I want to be 100 % ready before I commit to anything driving related . ''

Team principal Eric Boullier also released a statement , saying : `` Everybody in the team is , of course , very disappointed . Robert not driving in Australia at the start of next season is not what we were all hoping for .

`` However , he has taken a very mature decision , acting in the best interests of Lotus Renault GP . As a team and as a family , we remain 100 % behind him and we 'll help as much as we can . ''

Kubica suffered a partial amputation of his forearm and compound fractures to his right elbow , shoulder and leg in the accident in Andorra last February .

He subsequently had three operations and has undergone a lengthy period of rehabilitation but has so far not driven a car .

Kubica 's decision leaves the team with a choice of three drivers to fill its two seats , Vitaly Petrov , Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean , unless they look outside their current line-up .

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Robert Kubica 's Formula One return with Renault has been delayed

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Renault had been hoping the Polish driver would be fit for the start of the 2012 season

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But Kubica has not fully recovered from serious arm injuries sustained in a rally crash